Oil On the Aperture Blades

I thought it might be useful to do a blog about a lens that I just sold on eBay this week. It was a Nikkor 135mm 2.8 AIS that I'd owned and used fairly sparingly for probably around 15 years. It was a useful lens but nothing I was ever in love with, hence the...

Happy Birthday, Kodak Tri-X

Kodak Tri-X, as a concept, has been around since the 1940's when it was a 200 ISO b&w sheet film. Because it was their first fast film, when Kodak released the 400 ISO roll film version, the Tri-X name was maintained. Just like Kodak TMAX P3200 revolutionized low light photography in 1989, Tri-X was an...

These Photos Were Processed In Kodak’s New HC110 In Spite of The Product’s Single Flaw

In early 2019, the film community was pretty stressed out, and with good reason. The nearly two century old chemical manufacturer, Tetenal appeared close to shutting down. Many photographers have probably never even heard of this company, but Tetenal has been "the man behind the curtain" for many of Kodak's products for decades. The product...

Autopsy of the Nikon F6

This time last year, photographer Thomas Eisl and I set out to dispel myths and to remind the world that we could still buy the world's last newly made 35mm SLR, the Nikon F6, brand new. Sadly, nearly exactly one year later, Nikon has officially announced that this important camera is being discontinued after a...

Three Common Issues with the Nikon FM2n

by Johnny MartyrIf you currently own or are interesting in buying a Nikon FM2n, you'll want to know about the three common issues that I've found with these cameras. As previously noted, I'm a big fan of the Nikon FM2n.  I've owned five and have whittled down to just two black FM2n's.  I've been shooting...

Nikon Film Shooters, Buy New!

Film photographers love old gear.  But what about NEW gear? As our equipment ages and continues to be used, things are simply going to deteriorate.  When possible, I like to buy NEW photo equipment that's relevant to what I do.  It provides a better user experience for me than dealing with eBay returns and relentless...

There’s Still Time to Buy a Brand New Nikon F6 for Christmas!

The Nikon F6 was first introduced by the top Japanese cameramaker in 2004.  It was the sixth camera in the Nikon F dynasty which began, 60 years ago in 1959 and totally redefined 35mm photography.  Today, the F6 remains the most technically refined, advanced and modern film camera, not just 35mm camera, not just SLR...

The F3, Nikon’s Greatest Achievement?

What do you think of the Nikon F3? It's probably Nikon's most popular and certainly longest running professional grade camera body.  They built these things from 1980 all the way to 2001, even while Nikon were simultaneously selling F4's and F5's.  Apparently they made so many, that they lost count after nearly 800,000! Pretty incredible....

Nikkormat, Brutish & Beautiful

If you happen across an old Nikkormat in a junk shop etc, you might wonder, what the hell is this?! It doesn't SAY Nikon but it has a Nikkor lens and the name plate reads "Nikkormat," or "Nikomat."  Is this some sort of cheap Nikon knock-off?  But it's weighty and machining is quite handsome.  What...

Remembering NIGHT of the LIVING DEAD’s Chuck Craig

Actor Charles "Chuck" Craig passed away at age 87 on Sunday, February 24th. Craig's screen time was brief but impactful.  He played an integral part in George A. Romero's horror classic, NIGHT of the LIVING DEAD. Because of the low budget nature of it, Craig actually plays three roles in the film.  He plays a...